[ LETTER ]

Where's U.S. Ebola Policy?

Published: Thursday, August 7, 2014 at 4:07 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, August 7, 2014 at 4:07 a.m.

The recent story of the man who collapsed and later died in Lagos, prior to finishing his trip to Minnesota, raises a lot of questions ["New Fears About Ebola Spread After Death of Airline Passenger," July 28].

Why, if a country has an epidemic so serious that it kills 60 percent of those who contract it, do we allow air travel there: What happened to being quarantined? It occurred during World War II. Yes, it states it's a two- to 21-day incubation period for ebola.

Why do we trust our health to a third-world country that apparently can't stop the spread?

More importantly, if these people are medical personnel, they have the training and equipment to protect themselves and yet they still contracted it. With people traveling to and from countries, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention needs to take a pro-active stance. They stated how the airlines should disinfect after they discover someone tested positive for it.

We don't allow planes to fly in terrorist nations or Cuba, why would we allow them in country that is suffering an epidemic?

We need a policy in place that shuts down that country of all air travel and starts some kind of quarantine procedure. Taking someone's temperature prior to boarding, ordering the use of face masks be worn, hand sanitizer dispensed throughout the flight, something is better than nothing.

<p>The recent story of the man who collapsed and later died in Lagos, prior to finishing his trip to Minnesota, raises a lot of questions ["New Fears About Ebola Spread After Death of Airline Passenger," July 28].</p><p>Why, if a country has an epidemic so serious that it kills 60 percent of those who contract it, do we allow air travel there: What happened to being quarantined? It occurred during World War II. Yes, it states it's a two- to 21-day incubation period for ebola. </p><p>Why do we trust our health to a third-world country that apparently can't stop the spread?</p><p>More importantly, if these people are medical personnel, they have the training and equipment to protect themselves and yet they still contracted it. With people traveling to and from countries, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention needs to take a pro-active stance. They stated how the airlines should disinfect after they discover someone tested positive for it.</p><p>We don't allow planes to fly in terrorist nations or Cuba, why would we allow them in country that is suffering an epidemic? </p><p>We need a policy in place that shuts down that country of all air travel and starts some kind of quarantine procedure. Taking someone's temperature prior to boarding, ordering the use of face masks be worn, hand sanitizer dispensed throughout the flight, something is better than nothing.</p><p>An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.</p><p>MARK LANIER</p><p>Polk City</p>